EC ASKS INDUSTRY COMMENTS ON REVISED TACA

   The European Commission is seeking industry input on the competitive
aspects of the revised Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement.
   The agreement, dubbed TACA 2, now incorporates confidentiality and
individual service contract arrangements that take into account the U.S.
Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. The carrier agreement also excludes the authority to set inland rates in Europe.
   The conference lines are seeking an individual exemption to be able to
set port-to-port rates, inland rates in the U.S. and joint service
contracts.
   The EC considers that joint service contracts are not exempt under EC
Regulation 4056/86 on conferences.
   Comments must be received by the EC competition directorate by June 6.